Grand Opening of the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, IL

By Cheryl Eichar-Jett

The little city of Atlanta (not the one in Georgia) is located along Route 66 and just off I-55 between Bloomington and Lincoln, Illinois.

Atlanta may be small (population 1,637 in 2022), but it’s become known for doing things in a big way. It all started back in 2003 when Atlanta’s biggest cheerleader and former educator, Bill Thomas, suggested to his colleagues in Atlanta that they purchase “Tall Paul” Bunyon when it went up for sale in Cicero, Illinois. Although it was a hard sell, Atlanta ended up purchasing the 19-foot-tall lumberjack clutching a hot dog and having it transported from the hot dog stand it once touted to an honored spot on Arch Street, Atlanta’s Route 66.

Then the town restored its historic Palms Grill Cafe (now the home of Missy’s Sweet Shoppe), opened the Atlanta Museum, built a Route 66 Park on an empty lot, and attracted Route 66 gift shops. The result was one of the most attractive (and compact) streetscapes along Route 66, and it drew tourists from all around the world. Then came COVID and a huge but temporary halt to tourism, especially from our international visitors.

But by the summer of 2023, international and American tourists were traveling again. And the news emanated from Atlanta that something else really big was going to be arriving – the American Giants Museum, complete with more giants AKA muffler men! A small building barely a block from Tall Paul would be turned into a vintage-look Texaco Service Station (more about why Texaco in a minute) and fiberglass muffler men museum. Funding for the museum came through the Atlanta Betterment Fund, a nonprofit organization established by private donations. Locals, visitors, and cross-country travelers watched the progress as the museum with the Texaco Service Station appearance progressed.

A Mortimer Snerd giant arrived and was erected on a concrete base outside the museum. A line of concrete bases foretold more giants to come. A “soft opening” with limited hours allowed visitation as the displays and signage evolved. Muffler man body parts, that is, heads, boots, etc. that had been produced decades ago as replacement parts began to arrive at the museum, straight from Joel Baker’s own collection. Baker, an avid devotee of muffler men, began tracking them down in 2011, founding the Re-Giants Restoration Company and making the name “American Giants” synonymous with the beloved muffler men of the 1960s. In the process, Baker also became an expert on International Fiberglass and the products they manufactured.

Thomas explained how the museum came about. “Years ago, I had a conversation with Joel Baker, and unfortunately neither one of us now can remember how many years ago exactly, but I think we’d met 11 years ago. It was sometime after that, that Joel said, ‘You know that I’ve got all these things associated with International Fiberglass Company, the firm that built all the muffler men, but I have nowhere to display them or let the public enjoy them. I need a museum.’ So I said, ‘Okay, Joel, one day.’ I meant it literally, because of the number of years it took, but finally it happened on Memorial Day weekend this year.”

From Friday, May 24, through Sunday, May 26, aficionados of Route 66, muffler men, and quirky roadside attractions, plus staff from several of the Illinois visitors bureaus, showed up to take photos, meet Joel Baker and hear him speak, and stroll Atlanta’s main street – Arch Street/Route 66. Some visitors looked for shade as well – it was a very hot day, but luckily the threat of rainy weather mostly held off. The famous Gemini Giant from Wilmington had “stopped by” for the weekend, remaining prone on his trailer, on his way to the Re-Giants restoration shop for a bit of a makeover. Another giant, the “Waving Man,” had recently been discovered in a barn in Chicago where he’d been for some 40 years, and he also arrived on a trailer to join the weekend festivities.

The anticipation grew and excitement ran through the crowd as they awaited the arrival (postponed several times throughout the weekend because his restoration required just a bit more work) of the Texaco Big Friend, the star of the show. And here is the background that explains the Texaco theme: Back in the 1960s, when International Fiberglass in Los Angeles was creating the muffler men, the Texaco Oil Company marketing department had the idea to have 3,000 – yes, three thousand! – giants made to promote Texaco stations across the country. But as the logistics and cost to distribute 3,000 24-foot-tall giants across the U.S. became apparent, the number was cut down to 300. The giants would be identical, outfitted as Texaco station attendants with their dark green suits and snappy caps. They would look amazing as they drew customers to the Texaco stations. But things didn’t go according to plan. Apparently, the need to securely fasten the giants to bases that could support them was overlooked, and in strong winds, Texaco Big Friends began falling on vehicles. Instead of a huge win, the project was a disaster. Texaco recalled all the big green-suited men and the company took the extreme step of attempting to have all of them demolished. Fortunately, a handful of the Big Friends escaped that fate, and ensured that the six who are known to have survived became very special.

On Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm, the ribbon-cutting took place, and a couple hours later, Texaco Big Friend finally arrived to a happy crowd.

“There was much anticipation built up waiting for Big Friend to arrive and a lot of excitement. Really, it’s doing what it’s designed to do, and that is, of course, tell the story of American Giants and International Fiberglass and Joel and his passion for them,” Thomas explained. “But it’s also working for Atlanta – we doubled attendance at the new museum in May.” It will likely continue to work, as the museum grounds will eventually include up to six American Giants, making it the largest collection anywhere on Route 66.

If you have not yet been to Atlanta to check out Tall Paul, Big Friend, and all the other interesting attractions you’ll find, do make a day trip (or more – there’s a wonderful bed-and-breakfast).

Visit atlantaillinoistourism.com for more information.

Cheryl Eichar-Jett is the author of numerous books and articles about Route 66. Find her at route66chick.com and cheryleicharjett.com.